OMAN DESERT TREK In the Footsteps of Thesiger This five day journey through the sands of Oman, accompanied by Bedouin and camels, will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about Oman’s Desert Bedouin culture, as they explore the dramatic Sharqiya (Wahiba) sands. During their Desert Journey students will be taught how to bake their own bread under the sand, to grind their own cardoman coffee, and to navigate by the sun and the stars. They’ll return home motivated, refreshed and energised. The ‘In the Footsteps of Thesiger’ journey involves trekking on foot through the desert, using camels for support. Our journey through the sands follows that of an ancient trade route across the sands called the Darb Muqta’a Habl, which translates as ‘the route that cuts between the tallest dunes’, connecting the coast of the Arabian sea to the Eastern Hajar mountains. Gane and Marshall School Challenges Tel: +44(0)1822 600 300 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.schoolchallenges.co.uk Day 0 Depart UK Depart UK on Oman Air, arriving Muscat next day. Day 1 Arriva Oman, Transfer to Sharqiya Sands Fullboard camping On arrival in Muscat, Oman, you will be met by our ground support team and transported south for two hours to the edge of the Sharqiya Sands (Wahiba) desert. The focus of an intensive Royal Geographical Society research expedition in the mid 1980s, Sharqiya Sands On arrival at Sharqiya Sands the group will have a relaxed lunch, before take your first steps into the sands to set up camp for an amazing night under the desert stars. In the evening, dinner, enjoy dinner with the local Bedouin people. Days 2-5 Desert Trekking in Sharqiya Sands Fullboard camping This morning you begin your 3-day desert trek. The trekking follows no fixed route (indeed there are no tracks), and the exact distances covered each day will vary according to the strength of the group. As a rule, the group should be able to cover about 5-6 miles, trekking for approx 5 hours, with a lunch stop and plenty of breaks enroute. The group will set off early in order to enjoy the cool morning temperatures; waking early with the sunrise (approx. 6am), students will be expected to help with the preparation for breakfast and clearing up of camp, before departing camp at 8am. The pace of the trekking will be steady, allowing the group time to enjoy the local wildlife and scenery. Regular breaks will enable us to enjoy coffee and dates, and learn about Bedouin hospitality. Tired legs can hop onto one of the camels accompanying the group. One of the camels will carry coffee, dates and spare water. At about 4pm each day we will look for a suitable campsite to settle down for the night, set up camp and Gane and Marshall School Challenges Tel: +44(0)1822 600 300 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.schoolchallenges.co.uk wait for the desert stars to emerge. In the evenings we will grind coffee and bake Bedouin bread under the sand, before heading off to a warm sleeping bag after dinner. Day 6 Muscat City Tour – Overnight flight to London Return to edge of the sands. After a much needed shower and generous lunch, the group will board a bus and return to Muscat for a city tour, visiting the Souq, Grand Mosque, and, time allowing, the picturesque corniche. After a farewell dinner, it’s onto the airport for the late night flight to London. Gane and Marshall School Challenges Tel: +44(0)1822 600 300 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.schoolchallenges.co.uk .